Chijioke Iremeka As Nigeria’s economic woes remain unabated, cardiologists have urged Nigerians to embrace laughter to avoid having heart attacks over the depressing situation. They noted that laughter helps to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack by regulating stress hormones. According to them, laughter enhances blood flow and also improves vascular function.
The cardiologists emphasised that laughter positively affects the body and mind because it triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. These endorphins promote a sense of well-being and improve the immune system. Rising food and transportation costs, the fuel subsidy removal announced in May 2023, and the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to float the naira against other currencies have caused a serious economic crisis in the country.
It has further led to a rise in suicide rates in the country. According to the World Health Organisation, economic crisis leads to secondary mental health problems that could increase suicide and alcohol death rates. The British Heart Foundation notes that laughing with friends or giggling over a favourite comedy show makes one feel good and makes the heart healthier.
A study by Brazilian Professor, Marco Saffi, and his team presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2023, showed that people with coronary heart disease who regularly watched comedy shows had better heart and circulatory system health compared to those who .